We are a welcoming and inclusive community. Celebrating life, we strive to inform ourselves and our larger community of our religious history and the value of independent thinking. Together we support one another, encourage religious inquiry, nurture spiritual and intellectual growth, and work for social justice.

THE PRINCIPLES OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM

The inherent worth and dignity of every person

Justice, equality and compassion in human relations

Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning

The right of conscience and use of the democratic process within our congregation and in society at large

The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part

Members are not required to subscribe to any particular creed. Some are Christians, some are atheists, agnostics, or humanists. The living tradition we share draws from many sources: direct experience of transcending mysteries, words and deeds of prophetic women and men, wisdom from the world’s religions, humanist teachings, and earth-centered spirituality.

Congregations receive recommendations from the UUA, but not orders. The concept of congregational polity states that each congregation makes its own decisions. Ministers are hired by the congregation, not appointed by the UUA. Some congregations are Bible-centered, others are not.

THE ORIGINS OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM

Unitarianism and Universalism arose independently as liberal religious movements in Europe and North America, beginning in the 16th century. Both groups looked towards the Bible for guidance, and rejected the parts of Catholic dogma that were not based on the Bible.

The name Unitarianism refers to the belief in a single God, as opposed to the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The name Universalism refers to the belief in a loving God and universal salvation, as opposed to a vengeful God and the existence of hell, purgatory, and limbo.

Unitarians and Universalists merged in 1961 to become the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), a world-wide liberal religious organization with over 1,000 congregations and 200,000 members.